Chenonceau Castle

Are you ready to explore Chenonceau castlethis jewel of the Renaissance and heritage French that rises above the Cher? You're exactly where you need to be!

This article is your ultimate guide to planning your visit to this famous Loire Valley castle. Here you’ll find all the essential information you need to plan your getaway, buy your tickets, and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of this unique castle, affectionately known as known as the «Ladies» Castle” in tribute to the remarkable women of its history, such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis. Let yourself be guided!

Find out more about the Loire castles, read our detailed article here.

Plan your visit to Château de Chenonceau

Château de Chenonceau attracts many visitors, especially during the high season. To guarantee an optimal experience, it's essential to prepare your visit well. Here are a few recommendations to help you organize your stay.

The best times to visit

Open year-round, the Château de Chenonceau offers different experiences depending on the season. It is generally recommended to avoid weekends and school vacation periods, when the castle is very crowded.

Weekdays, as well as early morning or late afternoon, are the best times for a peaceful visit, allowing you to fully appreciate the interior spaces and gardens, with the added bonus of beautiful light for your photos.

In winter, the castle is decked out in festive decorations and offers special activities, although the gardens are less vibrant and the temperatures are cooler. Be sure to dress warmly and warm up with a hot drink in the tea room.

Summer, on the other hand, showcases the gardens’ splendor, but expect large crowds and possibly hot weather. We recommend booking your tickets in advance and bringing a bottle of water and a hat.

How to get there

Located in the department of the’Indre-et-Loirein region Centre-Val de LoireThe castle is easily accessible by car, train or bus.

By car, the A10 freeway (from Paris or Bordeaux) and the A85 motorway (from Paris or Bordeaux) are just a short drive away. Nantes or Lyon) are the main routes to the castle. Free parking is available nearby. By train, the Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station is the closest, with bus or taxi connections to the castle. Organized tours from Paris or Tours are also a convenient option for visitors.

Practical tips for a pleasant visit

To make the most of your visit, here are a few tips:

• Allow enough time to explore both the château and its gardens, allowing around 2 hours for the monument and 1 hour for the gardens. Additional time may be required for events and temporary exhibitions.
• Choose the tour option that best suits you: a self-guided tour with a printed guide, an audio guide available in 11 languages, or a guided tour for a more in-depth experience.
• To preserve this historic monument, please respect the visiting rules. It is forbidden to touch the works of art, to smoke, eat or drink in the château, and to take photos with flash or tripod. Photos without flash are permitted for personal use only.
• Take advantage of the services and activities on offer, including checkroom, toilets, boutique, tea room, boat trips, horse-drawn carriage rides, wine tours and evening visits.

Timetables and tickets

To plan your visit to the Château de Chenonceau, it’s essential to check the hours, admission prices, and ticket purchasing options. Various options and special offers are available to enhance your experience. Here is the information you’ll need to plan your visit.

Opening hours

Chenonceau Castle is open every day of the year, with hours that vary depending on the season and public holidays. The hours listed below are for the ticket office (the castle closes 30 minutes later, and the gardens close 30 minutes after the castle closes):

• January 1 to 7: 9:30 a.m.
  • 18h00
  • January 8 to April 5: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • April 6 to July 7: 9:00 a.m.
  • 18h00
  • July 8 to August 25: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00
  • August 26 to September 29: 9:00 a.m.
  • 18h00
  • September 30 to November 3: 9:00 a.m.
  • 17h30
  • November 4 to 8: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • November 9 to 11: 9:00 a.m.
  • 17h30
  • November 12 to December 6: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • December 7 to 8: 9:30 a.m.
  • 17h00
  • December 9 to 13: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • December 14 to 15: 9:30 a.m.
  • 17h00
  • December 16 to 20: 9:30 a.m.
  • 16h30
  • December 21 to 31: 9:30 a.m.
  • 18h00

  For weekends and public holidays, online booking is compulsory. Opening times for these days are :

• Easter: March 30, 31 and April 1: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00
  • May 1st: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00
  • May 8 and Ascension: May 8, 9, 10, 11, 12: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00
  • Pentecost: May 18, 19 and 20: 9:00 a.m.
  • 19h00

  Ticket prices

  Prices vary depending on age, status, and type of visit. Below are the prices for a tour of the castle and gardens, with a choice between a brochure and an audio guide:

Group rates are available for more than 20 people, with advance booking required.

Free admission is granted under certain conditions, particularly to people with disabilities, journalists, and holders of various professional or educational cards; there is an additional charge of €5.00 for the audio guide.

Buy your tickets in advance

Buying your tickets online on the castle’s official website allows you to skip the lines, take advantage of special rates, and choose your visit date and time. You can also purchase your tickets at partner sales locations to take advantage of discounts and combo deals.

Special ticket options and offers

For an enriched experience, consider the following options:

• Guided tour: Take your discovery further with a lecturer for an additional €7.00.
• Boat trip: Admire the castle from the Cher for €10.00 to €15.00 per person.
• Horse-drawn carriage ride: Explore the estate for €6.00 per adult and €4.00 per child.
• Wine tour: Discover the vineyards and taste the wines for €25.00 per person.
• Tour Under the Stars: Enjoy a summer night tour for €6.50 per adult and €4.50 per child.
• Pass Châteaux: Access to several monuments with an annual pass from €29.00 per adult.
• TripAdvisor Special Offer: Get 10% off when you share your review; valid through December 31, 2024.

Parking Chateau de Chenonceau - Where to park?

The château has several parking lots:

• Main parking lot : It is the largest and closest to the castle. There is an admission fee, and it is usually very crowded, especially during peak season.
• Additional parking lots : Additional parking lots are sometimes opened to accommodate the large crowds. Please check with the ticket office for more information.

Not to be missed at Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau Castle is a treasure trove of history and beauty, offering a wealth of wonders both inside and out. Here are the must-see highlights that will make your visit an unforgettable experience.

Gallery on deck

A hallmark of the Château de Chenonceau, the bridge gallery is 60 meters long and 6 meters wide, spanning the Cher River on two majestic arches. Commissioned by Catherine de’ Medici and built on the site of Diane de Poitiers’s former bridge, this gallery served as both a reception hall and a passageway. It offers a spectacular view of the river and its banks and is adorned with 18 windows and coffered ceilings, housing a precious collection of 16th- and 17th-century tapestries.

The gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis

The gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis are among the château's finest attractions, reflecting the rivalry and genius of these two ladies. Situated on either side of the main dwelling and separated by a moat, these gardens are distinguished by their compositions of flower beds, boxwood, fountains and statues. Diane's garden, more extensive and uncluttered, contrasts with Catherine's garden, more intimate and elaborate.

The labyrinth and dependencies

The grounds of the Château de Chenonceau also feature an Italian-style maze, designed by Catherine de’ Medici. Planted with 2,000 yew trees, this square garden—70 meters on each side—features a gazebo at its center, offering a panoramic view of this green labyrinth. A place for strolling and relaxation, the estate also includes former 16th-century outbuildings, now converted into a floral workshop, a carriage gallery, and a donkey park.

Historically furnished interiors

The interiors of the Château de Chenonceau offer an immersive journey into history, furnished and decorated with period pieces. They pay tribute to the illustrious women who shaped its history, such as Katherine Briçonnet, Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de’ Medici, and many others. Spaces ranging from Diane de Poitiers’s bedroom and Catherine de’ Medici’s bedroom to the kitchen, dining room, and chapel all invite visitors to take a journey back in time.

Interior of Château de Chenonceau: a kitchen adapted to grandeur

The kitchen at the Château de Chenonceau was the beating heart of this vast estate. Designed to feed a large court and distinguished guests, it was equipped with the most modern tools and materials of the time.

• Impressive dimensions: To meet the needs of a home like this, the kitchen was spacious and divided into several areas: food preparation, cooking, baking…
• Equipment that was state-of-the-art for its time: It contained bread ovens, roasting spits, copper pots, solid-wood workbenches, and many other utensils as well.
• Meticulous organization: The tasks were divided among a large, qualified staff, under the supervision of a maître d'hôtel.

Cuisine at the Service of Gastronomy

The castle kitchen was much more than just a place to prepare meals. It was also a creative space where chefs applied their expertise to craft refined and surprising dishes from the French gastronomy. Recipes were often inspired by produce from the château's kitchen garden and local markets.

• Seasonal cuisine: Menus were adapted to the seasons, highlighting fresh, high-quality produce.
• Refined dishes: The château's cooks were true artists, capable of creating dishes as beautiful as they were delicious.
• An Italian influence: Since the castle was built in part under Italian influence, the castle's cuisine also reflected this, featuring lighter dishes and the use of a variety of spices.

A Kitchen that Evolves with the Times

Over the centuries, the castle’s cuisine has evolved, just as tastes and lifestyles have. However, it has always retained its unique character and its close connection to the castle’s history.

History of Château de Chenonceau

In the beginning

The first part of the château was built in the 12th century; however, it does not have an elevated bridge over the Cher. The château is now owned by the Marques family. The château was rebuilt in the 15th century, this time on the banks of the Cher.

The new castle

At the end of the 10th century, the château was purchased by an aristocratic family from Tours, and more specifically by Thomas Bohier, a statesman with close ties to the monarchy. And so it was that Thomas Bohier and his wife, Katherine Briconnet, take on major projectsStarting with the demolition of the former castle, and building the castle as it stands today.

After the death of Chenonceau's owner, the château was handed over to the king. However, François ^Ist did not undertake any work at Chenonceau. It was during the reign of Henri II's son that things changed.In 1547, he offered the Château de Chenonceau to his beloved Diane de Poitiers.

Le chateau des dames

Diane de Poitiers

In 1556, Diane de Poitiers decided to build a bridge to enable him to enjoy the gardens and forest on the other side of the Cher. Construction was completed in 1559. Château de Chenonceau Chenonceau was returned to the French crown following the intervention of Catherine de Médicis.

Catherine de Medici

A few years later, Catherine de Médicis was responsible for the construction of the gardens and the château, and organized events within the château. Finally, she was responsible for the construction of the galleries in 1576, built atop the Pont de Diane, which give the Château de Chenonceau its unique appearance. Catherine de Médicis died in 1598, leaving behind a number of debts and much unfinished work.

Louise de Lorraine

Louise de Lorraine, widow of King Henri III of France, assassinated in 1598, became owner of the château and dressed it in black in response to her grief. For this reason Louise de Lorraine is known as "the white lady of Chenonceau". Following financial difficulties, the château became the property of César de Vendôme and Françoise de Lorraine after the death of Louise de Lorraine.

Marie de Luxembourg

After further formalities, the château was handed over to the Duchess of Mercoeur, Marie de Luxembourg, who began renovation work in 1603. The Duchess died in 1623. A succession of owners followed, before Louis-Henri de Bourbon Conde sold the estate to farmer-general Claude Dupin in 1733.

Claude Dupin wife Louise de Fontaine hosted a literary salon at the Château de Chenonceau, where she met leading figures from the Age of Enlightenment, including Rousseau, Montesquieu and Voltaire. The Dupin couple also carried out extensive restoration work, giving Chenonceau its former prestige.

The 19th century

Visit Château de Chenonceau undergoes major transformations in the 19th century under the direction of architect Félix Roguet, at the request of new owner Marguerite Wilson, wife of Pelouze. She also installed the Académie des Arts et des Lettres. After many years of work and debts, the château became the property of Crédit Financier. It was then sold to the Terry family, then auctioned in 1913, before being sold to the Menier family. During the First World War, the estate was used as a hospital for soldiers, and was damaged during the Second World War.

The 20th century

The château is currently under the control of the Menier family. Major restoration work was carried out in 2009.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that the Château de Chenonceau is a must-see for anyone visiting the Centre-Val de Loire region. This historic monument transports you through time and history with its luxurious interiors, breathtaking gardens, exceptional gallery, and diverse events. It also highlights the influential women who shaped its history, such as Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de’ Medici, and Louise Dupin.

Don't wait—book your ticket online today and take advantage of the available special offers to explore the Château de Chenonceau, nicknamed the «Ladies» Castle." It's an experience you certainly won't regret!

FAQ

Which king lived at Château de Chenonceau?

Henry II, a king of France, lived at the Château de Chenonceau. He gave it to Diane de Poitiers, his mistress, who enhanced the estate by having the famous bridge over the Cher River and the gardens named after her built.

Who is the current owner of Château de Chenonceau?

Since 1913, the Château de Chenonceau has belonged to the Menier family. Laure Menier Brasilier has managed it since 2002, carrying on the family legacy.

Why visit Chenonceau?

Chenonceau is a must-see Renaissance landmark, notable for its unique architecture. The château is also distinguished by its fascinating history, which is closely tied to the illustrious women who lived there and embellished it, such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici.

Which river flows through the Château de Chenonceau?

The Château de Chenonceau is a monument through which flows the Cher, a picturesque tributary of the Loire. This river winds its way through the departments of Cher, Indre, and Indre-et-Loire, adding to the estate’s grandeur.